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The fifth season of the affiliation between the Clippers and Cleveland Indians came to an
on-field conclusion on Monday in Huntington Park.

A crowd of 11,575 stuck around for most of an 8-7 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens. That showed
there’s a strong heartbeat within the community for the 5-year-old ballpark.

The official attendance for the season — 635,613 — was second to Indianapolis in minor league
baseball. The per-game number of 9,212 was first. So business boomed even though the team finished
71-73 and missed the International League playoffs.

The on-field voyage from opening day to September seemed choppy enough at times to reach for a
seasick bag. It included a franchise-record 231 roster moves — 43 more than the previous mark, set
in 2008.

The number of moves meant that the Indians weren’t finding what they needed in Columbus, with
the notable exceptions of starting pitcher Corey Kluber and catcher Yan Gomes.

What went right?

Prospect excitement, though more measured than the past four seasons, did have its moments.

Pitcher Danny Salazar brought his electric fastball to Huntington Park from double-A Akron in
May and is finishing the season with the Tribe. He has real star quality.

Kluber took over in Cleveland in April for the injured Brett Myers and locked down a spot in the
starting rotation. Gomes also received an April chance to replace the injured Lou Marson and never
looked back.

Relievers Preston Guilmet and C.C. Lee received their first big-league looks from the Indians.
Veteran relievers Blake Wood and Clay Rapada also made it to the majors.

What went wrong?

Lots did. The Clippers were 28-18 on May 21 under new manager Chris Tremie and 3½ games behind
eventual IL West champion Indianapolis. They looked good.

By July 2, the Clippers’ record had dipped to 38-48 with 17½ games separating them from
Indianapolis. The team never dug out of that hole.

Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer arrived with more expectations than Salazar as Cleveland’s No. 2
overall prospect. He struggled with command all season and did not receive a September call-up. He
is 22 and remains large in the big picture.

The offense was woeful. The Clippers tied Louisville for last place in IL hitting with a .244
average. Poor performance cost shortstop Juan Diaz (.242) and outfielder Tim Fedroff (.242) their
40-man roster spots.

Injuries limited infielder Cord Phelps (neck and right wrist) to 65 games and first baseman Matt
LaPorta (left hip) to 44.

What comes next?

New faces should dot the roster in 2014. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, Cleveland’s top prospect,
jumped from class-A Carolina to Akron and figures to make a stop in Huntington Park at some point
next season.

Outfielder Tyler Naquin, Cleveland’s No. 1 pick in 2012, also played for Carolina and Akron and
should reach Columbus in ’14.

The Indians bypassed Diaz and called up second baseman Jose Ramirez from Akron recently. The
20-year-old speedster stole 38 bases for the Aeros while batting .272.

Akron’s Jesus Aguilar led the Eastern League with 105 RBI and was a postseason all-star at first
base. Right fielder Carlos Moncrief, an Eastern League all-star, hit .284 with 17 home runs and 75
RBI.

Shortstop Ronny Rodriguez, outfielder Tyler Holt and pitchers Austin Adams, Shawn Armstrong,
Trey Haley and Enosil Tejeda are other Akron contenders for opening-day spots in Columbus. Holt,
Moncrief and the returning Chun-Hsiu Chen could open in the Clippers outfield.